Device for applying facial cosmetics

ABSTRACT

A device useful in the application of cosmetic materials includes an elongated strip of pad-like elements, each of which functions as an applicator for the cosmetics. The strip is wound in the form of a helix and placed inside of a hollow cylindrical container. The container is provided with an opening in one wall through which the strip of pads is pulled. A cutting device is positioned near the opening in one wall so that the pad elements may be individually sheared from the strip and used to apply makeup. After use they may be discarded and a new pad taken from the strip. A holding device receives the pad to be used and aids the user during application of the make-up.

United States Patent [1 1 Mackiernan DEVICE FOR APPLYING FACIALCOSMETICS 3,461,886 8/1969 Bau I32/88.7

Primary Examiner-G. E. McNeill Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeil][57] ABSTRACT A device useful in the application of cosmetic materialsincludes an elongated strip of pad-like elements, each of whichfunctions as an applicator for the cosmetics. The strip is wound in theform of a helix and placed inside of a hollow cylindrical container. Thecontainer is provided with an opening in one wall through which thestrip of pads is pulled. A cutting device is positioned near the openingin one wall so that the pad elements may be individually sheared fromthe strip and used to apply makeup. After use they may be discarded anda new pad taken from the strip. A holding device receives the pad to beused and aids the user during application of the make-up.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 1 4l975 SHEET 10F 2 DEVICE FORAPPLYING FACIAL COSMETICS FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relatesgenerally to applicator devices and more specifically, to an applicatordevice such as a pad or brush which is useful in the application ofcosmetic materials to the face or eyes.

Many varieties of make-up kits useful in the application of facialcosmetics are presently commercially available. Some of the more commonvarieties include kits useful in the application of a single cosmeticmaterial such as a flesh colored composition normally applied to theface, or of a variety of materials such as eye-shadow. The kitsgenerally include the cosmetic material itself housed in an attractivecompact, and an applicator such as a pad or brush.

One of the disadvantages that the user of such a kit experiences is thatthe pad or brush cannot effectively be kept clean after being used,especially after frequent use. Such a difficulty is particularlytroublesome when several different materials having several differentcolors are packaged in the same compact. Color contamination resultsvery quickly from the use of a single applicator. Obviously, thisdifficulty can be overcome by providing a pad for each color, but thisis neither economical for the manufacturer nor practical for the user.As a result, very few colors are packaged together or if many colors areso packaged, very few applicators are included. Furthermore, no matterhow many applicators are included there is a need to clean them afteruse to avoid caking of the material on the applicator and possiblecontamination to the skin. Cleaning is a time consuming chore for theuser when it is possible to be done, and when certain types ofunwashable materials are used in the fabrication of the applicators, itis not even an available remedy.

It is the primary object of this invention, therefore, to

provide a make-up device which includes a plurality of disposableapplicators requiring no cleaning after use.

It is another object of this invention to provide an applicator devicewhich permits a user of a make-up kit to use a different pad each timethe make-up is used thereby avoiding any contamination in theapplication of the make-up.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a make-up kit inwhich any number of different makeup colors may be packaged and in whicha large supply of disposable applicators may be stored.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a make-up kit including a device forsupplying disposable applicators and a housing for the cosmeticmaterials in a superposed unitary structure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a device for supplying disposableapplicators such as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a portion of a strip containing aplurality of pads used as applicators;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pad removed from the strip of FIG. 3just prior to being folded into a contiguous arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handle device and the completed pad ofFIG. 4 just prior to the insertion of the pad into the handle; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the components shown in FIG. 5after being joined.

Broadly, the objects of the invention are accomplished by a deviceuseful in the application of cosmetic materials which includes anelongated, continuous strip of pad-like elements, each one of theelements being an applicator for facial cosmetics. The strip ispreferably wound in the form of a helix and placed inside of acylindrical container or compact. The container is provided with anopening in one wall through which the strip passes when pulled from thecontainer. A cutting edge is positioned near the opening on thecontainer so that one or more pads can be cut from the strip when it isdesired to use them. With this arrangement, a continuous supply of cleanapplicators is readily available. The pads may be disposed of after useand a new one obtained from the supply strip.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pads on the strip aregrouped along the strip, each pad being spaced from a successive pad.There is a fold line in the center of each pad strip, thereby enablingthe strip to be folded back into a contiguous arrangement to form thepad. In this manner, a single pad element is formed which provides alarge application surface for the user. In order to ensure a firmstructure, the strip is composed of a material which has greaterrigidity than that of the pad material. Thus when the pad strip isfolded back, the strong strip material provides a firm support for theresulting article. The newly formed unitary pad is then placed in ahandle device which includes a receptacle for receiving and holding thepad. The pad is then dipped in a cosmetic, applied with the use of thehandle device, removed from the handle device when no longer in use, anddiscarded.

Attachment to the handle device may be effected in a variety of ways buta convenient and simple connection is made by providing an opening inthe handle device of a size sufficient to receive a projecting tab onthe formed pad. The tab is preferably an extra length of the stripmaterial itself which is left connected to the pads when they are cutfrom the remainder of the strip. The strip tab is then joined withanother such tab when the strip is folded back, and both tabs arepressed into the opening in the handle. Removal from the handle isreadily achieved by simply pulling the tab and handle apart.

The container, strip and handle device may all be packaged together withthe conventional compact which houses the cosmetic material. In onepreferred embodiment, an entire make up kit includes the container forthe strip and the cosmetic compact joined in superposed relation as aunitary structure. The handle device is placed in a slot in the compactbetween the compartments for the cosmetic materials and is easilyaccessible to the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, and first to FIG.1, there is illustrated a make-up kit generally designated by thenumeral 10. The make-up kit 10 includes an upper housing or compact l2and a lower device 14 for supplying applicators. The compact 12comprises a cover 16 which is rotatably connected to a housingcompartment 18 by a hinge 20. The compartment 18 houses various cosmeticmaterials 22 such as different colors of eye shadow as well as a handledevice 24 which as hereinafter more fully explained is useful inconjunction with the device 14. In FIG. 1, a portion of an elongatedstrip 26 (best shown in FIG. 2) is shown emerging from an opening 28 inthe wall of container 29 which is part of device 14.,A pad element 30which is useful as an applicator in the application of the eye shadowmake-up 22 is shown positioned on the strip 26 just beyond opening 28.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the strip 26 contains a large number ofpad elements 30 positioned adjacent each other on the strip. The stripis wound into a helix and placed within the hollow center portion of thecylindrical container 29. The pad elements 30 are pulled through opening28 by exerting a pulling pressure on the tab or tabs which are outsideof the container29. The container is provided with a sharp cutting edge32 positioned near opening 28. The pads are easily individuallyseparated from the strip 26 by bringing the strip in contact with thecutting edge 32 at a desired location in the space 34 between the padsand then shearing the strip. A portion of the strip will always projectbeyond opening 28 after shearing occurs because a small tab 36 (FIG. 1)will remain thus enabling the next pad to be pulled from the container.After a pad is cut from the strip it may be dipped in the eye shadow 22,applied to the user and then discarded. When another pad is laterdesired, it is cut from the strip in the same manner.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the strip 26. As thereillustrated, the strip 26 consists of adjacent pad elements 30 spacedfrom each other along the strip by the intermediate strip material 40. Aperforated line 42 may be placed in the spaces 40 so that the strip mayeasily be cut against shearing edge 32. If cut on the perforated lines42, each pair will be separated from the main strip and a part of thestrip material which forms a tab 44 would also be sheared from the mainstrip (See FIG. 4).

As shown best in FIGS. 4, and 6, the separated strip 26 may be foldedupon itself by means of fold line 46 which is pressed into the strip 26at the center thereof. The surfaces 50 and'52 provide a firm coresupport for the pads since they are composed of a material which is morerigid than the pad material. Once folded in this manner, a new unitarypad structure 48 (FIGS. 5, 6) is formed to provide a large applicatorhaving a large surface. This structure 48 may now be convenientlyinserted in'to handle device 24, and specifically, tabs 44 are press fitinto receptacle 54 so that device 24 carries the applicator 48. Afteruse, the applicator 48 may be dislodged from device 24 by simply pullingthe two apart and when it is desired to use an applicator again, a newpad is separated from strip 26 and the procedure is repeated' v It hasbeen determined that a pad having a width of approximately inch andcomposed of a soft foam type material such as urethene is quite suitablefor use in the present invention. These pads are secured to a backingstrip material which is more rigid than the urethene such as a stiffplastic or card stock. Perforations spaced about 1% inches along thestrip will aid in detaching the pads as well as providing a sufficientlength for tabs 44.

It will be appreciated that many modifications of the device of theinvention may be made without departing from the scope of the inventionlt willbe further ap preciated that the cosmetic applicator device ofthe in vention provides a simple solution to the perplexing problem ofcontamination inthe use of applicators for facial cosmetics.Furthermore, an economical, practical way of providing a fresh, cleanapplicator each time the cosmetics are used is also -satisfied 'by thedevice of the invention. In addition, an entire make-up kit comprisingthe make-up and a large supply of disposable applicators may bepackagedin an. attractive unitary assembly not much larger than a normalcompact.

What is claimed is:

l. A device useful in the application of cosmetic material comprising, v

an elongated strip having secured thereon a plurality of pad-likeelements adapted to be coated with a cosmetic material when brought incontact therewith and thereafter to release said cosmetic material whenplaced in contact with a surface to which the cosmetic material is to beapplied, said elements being placed successively along said strip,container means for housing said strip, said container means having anopening therein adapted to successively pass said elements on said stripout of said container means, and cutting means operatively connected tosaid container means proximate said opening and effective to separate atleast one of said elements from said strip when said strip is urged intocontact with said cutting means. 2. The device of claim 1, in which saidelements are grouped along said strip, each element being spaced from asuccessive element, whereby said elementsare cut from said strip andmeans operatively positioned upon said strip effective to enable aportion of said element to be folded into contiguous arrangement withanother portion of said element when said element is cut from saidstrip, thereby to form a single pad-like element.

3. In the device of claim 2, tab means operatively connected to the endsof each of said elements and effective wheneach of said elements isfolded into said arrangement to form a projection means extendingoutwardly therefrom, said projection means being effective to join saidelement to aholding manner.

4. The device of claim 3, in which said strip is composed of a materialmore rigid than said elements and in which said tab means comprises saidstrip material extending for opposite sides of said elements.

5. An elongated strip having securing thereon a-plurality of pad-likeelements adapted to be coated witha cosmetic material when brought incontact therewith and thereafter to release said cosmetic material whenplaced in contact with a surface to which the cosmetic material is to beapplied, said elements being placed successively along said strip, saidstrip having shearing means operatively connected to said strip atintervals therealong, effective to facilitate removal from said strip ofsaid elements positioned between successive shearing means.

6. The device of claim 5, in which said elements are grouped along saidstrip, each element being spaced from a successive element, saidshearing means being positioned in spaces between said elements wherebysaid elements are cut from said strip, and means operatively positionedupon said strip effective to enable a portion of said element to befolded into a contiguous "arrangement with another portion of element ofsaid pair when said pair is cut from said strip, thereby to form asingle pad-like element.

7. In the strip of claim 6 tab means operatively connected to the endsof each of said elements and effective when each of said elements isfolded into said arrangement to form a projection means extendingoutwardly therefrom, said projection means being effective to join saidelement to a holding means.

8. In the device of claim 1, housing means operatively connected withsaid container means, said housing means being effective to carrycosmetic materials to be applied with said elements.

9. The device of claim 1, in which said container means comprise ahollow cylindrical container having an opening in one wall thereofsufficient in size to pass said strip through, and in which said stripis wound into means having an opening therein and a grasping surfaceextending beyond said opening, said holding means being effective toreceive said projection means in said opening in releasable engagementafter said element is separated from said strip thereby to aid in theapplication of said cosmetic material.

1. A device useful in the application of cosmetic material comprising,an elongated strip having secured thEreon a plurality of padlikeelements adapted to be coated with a cosmetic material when brought incontact therewith and thereafter to release said cosmetic material whenplaced in contact with a surface to which the cosmetic material is to beapplied, said elements being placed successively along said strip,container means for housing said strip, said container means having anopening therein adapted to successively pass said elements on said stripout of said container means, and cutting means operatively connected tosaid container means proximate said opening and effective to separate atleast one of said elements from said strip when said strip is urged intocontact with said cutting means.
 2. The device of claim 1, in which saidelements are grouped along said strip, each element being spaced from asuccessive element, whereby said elements are cut from said strip andmeans operatively positioned upon said strip effective to enable aportion of said element to be folded into contiguous arrangement withanother portion of said element when said element is cut from saidstrip, thereby to form a single pad-like element.
 3. In the device ofclaim 2, tab means operatively connected to the ends of each of saidelements and effective when each of said elements is folded into saidarrangement to form a projection means extending outwardly therefrom,said projection means being effective to join said element to a holdingmanner.
 4. The device of claim 3, in which said strip is composed of amaterial more rigid than said elements and in which said tab meanscomprises said strip material extending for opposite sides of saidelements.
 5. An elongated strip having securing thereon a plurality ofpad-like elements adapted to be coated with a cosmetic material whenbrought in contact therewith and thereafter to release said cosmeticmaterial when placed in contact with a surface to which the cosmeticmaterial is to be applied, said elements being placed successively alongsaid strip, said strip having shearing means operatively connected tosaid strip at intervals therealong, effective to facilitate removal fromsaid strip of said elements positioned between successive shearingmeans.
 6. The device of claim 5, in which said elements are groupedalong said strip, each element being spaced from a successive element,said shearing means being positioned in spaces between said elementswhereby said elements are cut from said strip, and means operativelypositioned upon said strip effective to enable a portion of said elementto be folded into a contiguous arrangement with another portion ofelement of said pair when said pair is cut from said strip, thereby toform a single pad-like element.
 7. In the strip of claim 6 tab meansoperatively connected to the ends of each of said elements and effectivewhen each of said elements is folded into said arrangement to form aprojection means extending outwardly therefrom, said projection meansbeing effective to join said element to a holding means.
 8. In thedevice of claim 1, housing means operatively connected with saidcontainer means, said housing means being effective to carry cosmeticmaterials to be applied with said elements.
 9. The device of claim 1, inwhich said container means comprise a hollow cylindrical containerhaving an opening in one wall thereof sufficient in size to pass saidstrip through, and in which said strip is wound into a helix within saidcontainer.
 10. In the device of claim 8, housing means in superposedrelation with said container and effective to carry cosmetic materialsto be applied with said elements.
 11. In combination with the strip ofclaim 7, holding means having an opening therein and a grasping surfaceextending beyond said opening, said holding means being effective toreceive said projection means in said opening in releasable engagementafter said element is separated from said strip thereby to aid in theapplication of said cosmetic material.